A determined Donegal family that spearheaded an inclusive playpark in Buncrana said it’s something the entire community can enjoy and be proud of.
The Friels opened the ‘Fun For All’ extension at the Buncrana Festival Park earlier this month in loving memory of their brother Gareth. Gareth, a much-loved young man with complex needs, passed away in summer 2022 at the age of 38. One of the things Gareth got great joy from in life was using a swing.
Inspired by Gareth, the Friels have had a very busy year funding and planning the park which very quickly became a reality with the support of Donegal County Council.
The Fun For All extension to the Festival Park on Buncrana Shore Front
“It’s been great for the family,” says Coreen Robinson, Gareth’s sister.
Seeing families enjoy the games together has been both “emotional and amazing”, she says.
“It’s crazy to see a child in a wheelchair on a swing and their wee faces lighting up and their brothers and sisters running around them playing as well.
“That’s what’s huge, now a whole family can go to one place and play. Now we have somewhere for everybody.”
The Fun For All Walk in July 2023
It all started with a fundraising walk. On a wet summer’s day in July 2023, a 30-strong team trekked from Malin Head to Buncrana. Those initial steps quickly snowballed into a larger project, raising an impressive €38,000 for inclusive and sensory play equipment.
Every penny was spent on equipment, while Donegal County Council provided the groundwork and installation.
“That’s what made it possible for us,” said Coreen, praising the local authority team.
The Fun For All park boasts a range of equipment designed to be both fun and beneficial. The wheelchair-accessible swing, capable of supporting up to 250kg, is a true centerpiece. The swing is accessible with a radar key that can be purchased for €5 from the Go Visit Inishowen Tourist Office (contact here). The radar key isn’t just for the park, as it is part of a universal key scheme that offers disabled people independent access to locked public toilets around the country.
Wheelchair ability swing
Also in the park is a spring surfboard, a birds nest swing for a number of young people to enjoy, a Connect 4 and maze puzzle, wheelchair accessible picnic benches, a seaside-facing sensory rocker for children with autism and much more.
“Everything in there has got fun in mind, but everything was chosen for what it can do to help children. Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and interaction were the key things I wanted to bring to the playground, given there is such a lack of facilities and a waitlist in Donegal.”
Creating the space in just one year has been a major achievement for the Friels. They were always determined to get the funds spent quickly for the benefit of everyone who supported them so generously.
“The people of Buncrana are unreal at looking after their community, I was delighted I could do more than I set out to do and we never backed down on the timeframe,” Coreen said.
“It’s a nice thing to do for Gareth as well. We have a small plaque on the swing because we felt it was important to say why we did it,” she said.
Not stopping there, Coreen then set her sights on improving the public toilets at the shorefront.
The “Bogs of Buncrana” project, as they dubbed it, involved collaboration with Donegal County Council to completely revamp the facilities.
Coreen said: “I decided quite early on, when we raised money for the playground, that we can’t have toilets in such a poor condition that nobody would use them.
“A toilet is not a luxury it’s a necessity. If we were going to bring more children to the playground, they can’t be put back onto a bus to drive back to iCare for the toilet.
“Able-bodied or not, it’s not right to expect families to leave the shore front to go home to go to the toilet.”
New plumbing and essential amenities like hand dryers, soap dispensers, and toilet roll holders have transformed the space, which includes a standard disabled toilet. Buncrana Tidy Towns also joined the effort, contributing to the bright new mural.
“People wouldn’t take their children in before, now it’s fresh, clean and bright,” says Coreen.
“It’s been another family run at that as well. It’s been brilliant and I am really proud of the toilets too.”
The new and improved ‘Bogs of Buncrana’
Coreen and all the family wish to thank every person who supported their big ambitions, including the engineers and staff in Donegal County Council.
“It’s a really positive thing, it’s been hard going because I didn’t want to let anybody down, I can stand by it now and I’m delighted with how it has turned out.”
If you wish to find out more about the Fun For All extension, check out the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/p/FUN-for-ALL-Buncrana-100093027406600/
Get the opening hours and contact details for the Go Visit Inishowen office here: https://g.co/kgs/9VdFp4G
